More help for London’s homeless as St Mungo’s re-opens WoodWorks workshop

17 December 2009

Breaking news: A supporter has just bought a WoodWorks clock - the first new product to be bought via our online shop!

Homeless people in London have more help to get ready for the workplace, and gain key skills, as homelessness charity St Mungo's re-opens its WoodWorks workshop.

Angela Eagle with Tony 2 smAt the opening event on 16 December, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) minister Angela Eagle met St Mungo's chief executive Charles Fraser, charity staff and people who have already been helped by the project.

Angela Eagle said: "We know that work is good for people and that's why we want to give everyone the support they need to get back to work and rejoin society.

"We have made good progress over the past decade in tackling poverty and promoting social inclusion, but the journey into work can be challenging for people who've been out of work for a long time and face other barriers.

"Projects such as WoodWorks help people to develop not only practical skills but also their own confidence and self-esteem, an important first step back onto the path to recovery."

St Mungo's provides services including hostels, drug and alcohol support and job training. The WoodWorks workshop, which is also supported by Westminster Council, helps homeless people develop skills in numeracy, literacy, communication and build confidence - and helps them work towards getting a job and rebuilding their lives.

Charles Fraser, Chief Executive of St Mungo's, said:

"We're proud of what St Mungo's WoodWorks has already achieved and grateful to Government and our Westminster partners for enabling us to help many more homeless people in future.

"Those furthest from the labour market need help to move back towards work. Sometimes this can be complicated and take a lot of time, and we are delighted that the minister - by her presence here today - signals her support for this approach."

WoodWorks currently works with groups of up to ten homeless people each day. Clients volunteer their time for between one to five days a week, receiving support and direction from the trainer who develops an individual action plan with them.

Cllr Philippa Roe, Westminster Council's cabinet member for housing, said: "Getting people off the streets is a major challenge but it is also very hard for these individuals to get their lives back on track and get back into work or training.

"We are very pleased to be supporting this project, which will generate employment and training opportunities for some of the most vulnerable people in our community."

Over 1,000 clients have used the service since it opened and around 15 people a year move into employment and further education. Before attending WoodWorks, many of these clients said they would never have thought about employment, let alone going on to get a job.

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact Judith Higgin, Media and Campaigns Manager on 020 8762 5645 or email Judith.higgin@mungos.org

St Mungo's

  • St Mungo's has been running a wood workshop at Harrow Road for over 21 years now. In 2008, with the support of the City of Westminster, St Mungo's received funding via Places of Change, a Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) programme to develop the workshop. After a six month redevelopment, the workshop has opened with four times the amount of space, better facilities for clients including a kitchen and shower and changing facilities, a prototype design area and a training room.
  • The workshop currently produces a range of garden and bedroom furniture that are used in St Mungo's projects and are also sold to other housing associations, local authorities and private customers. All items are produced by homeless people and the current range includes beds, wardrobes, chest of drawers, planters, garden furniture, bird boxes and wormeries. Items can be purchased via the St Mungo's online shop - WoodWorks
  • Clients who participate in the workshop have the opportunity to develop transferrable skills; including numeracy, literacy and communication skills and to build self-esteem and confidence. It also allows clients to gain a sense of achievement, changing the way they view their lives and their future; a vital part of the process of becoming job-ready.
  • The project has particular success with people with mental health and/or substance use issues who benefit from the order and structure of the programme. Its success is due to a long term approach to working with clients who may have varying problems, personalising the care and support that they receive. Clients are also able to access the full range of St Mungo's work and learning services.

Westminster Council support for the project

  • Westminster Council has made a grant of £80,000 to the Wood Works project as part of its commitment to help rough sleepers get their lives back on track. There are three dedicated day centres for rough sleepers located across Westminster that deliver the full package of accommodation, primary care, mental health, substance misuse, and employment advice services.
  • Westminster Council commissions a number of hostels across the city to help rough sleepers and one emergency night centre. It also commissions other supported housing schemes for people moving from hostels towards independent living.

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